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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Holly Bancroft

He fought alongside the British special forces in Afghanistan. This is the reality of trying to build a life in the UK

The walls have been newly painted a bright white, and the floors are clean. But despite it being a grey cold winter’s day outside, all the windows in this two-bedroom flat in west London are wide open.

There is no visible mould, but Abdul’s family, including his pregnant wife Aisha, have been struggling with their breathing because of damp in the property ever since they moved in in October. They have opened the windows in a desperate bid to get some fresh air into the flat.

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